Dropbox installs & integrations
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Hi,
I'm updating a drive and I want to head off problems with 250gb+ Dropbox directory.
Currently, Dropbox resides on c (a standard hard drive). I'm upgrading c
to an SSD and want to move Dropbox to a different drive.
The way I "think" I should go about it is like this...
Is this a good plan or is there a better way to proceed?
Thanks!
Solved! Go to Solution.
You're not far off. This is how I do it every time I build a new computer, and it's always worked perfectly.
If it's a rebuild, uninstall Dropbox. You don't need to unlink first but you can if you want to. Rename the Dropbox folder to Dropbox_OLD or similar (move the Dropbox folder to another drive if you're formatting, obviously).
Rebuild your computer as needed and reinstall Dropbox. The application will ALWAYS go to your C: drive, but you can specify a different location for the Dropbox folder (your data) during the installation. You'll see an Advanced Options link after you sign in. Use this to pick the new location for your Dropbox folder. Do not pick the existing Dropbox folder. While Dropbox can reattach to an existing one, it's a buggy process that doesn't always allow it, and if you specify the existing Dropbox folder you'll end up creating a Dropbox within a Dropbox. It's not worth the trouble. Just pick a new location.
As soon as you finish the install, Dropbox will begin to download all of your files into the new Dropbox folder. Pause syncing or exit the Dropbox application. Move the content of Dropbox_OLD into the new Dropbox folder. Once the move is complete, and not before, resume syncing or relaunch Dropbox.
At this point, Dropbox will index all of your data to see what it has and what it needs to transfer. This will take a long time, especially with a folder of 250GB. It will appear to be uploading and downloading, but this is just comparison data and any differences that it finds. Just leave it alone and let it run. It has to go through this process.
You're not far off. This is how I do it every time I build a new computer, and it's always worked perfectly.
If it's a rebuild, uninstall Dropbox. You don't need to unlink first but you can if you want to. Rename the Dropbox folder to Dropbox_OLD or similar (move the Dropbox folder to another drive if you're formatting, obviously).
Rebuild your computer as needed and reinstall Dropbox. The application will ALWAYS go to your C: drive, but you can specify a different location for the Dropbox folder (your data) during the installation. You'll see an Advanced Options link after you sign in. Use this to pick the new location for your Dropbox folder. Do not pick the existing Dropbox folder. While Dropbox can reattach to an existing one, it's a buggy process that doesn't always allow it, and if you specify the existing Dropbox folder you'll end up creating a Dropbox within a Dropbox. It's not worth the trouble. Just pick a new location.
As soon as you finish the install, Dropbox will begin to download all of your files into the new Dropbox folder. Pause syncing or exit the Dropbox application. Move the content of Dropbox_OLD into the new Dropbox folder. Once the move is complete, and not before, resume syncing or relaunch Dropbox.
At this point, Dropbox will index all of your data to see what it has and what it needs to transfer. This will take a long time, especially with a folder of 250GB. It will appear to be uploading and downloading, but this is just comparison data and any differences that it finds. Just leave it alone and let it run. It has to go through this process.
Thanks Rick!
I think you save me a giant headache (or two) and I'm glad I asked!
@Rashmi wrote:
Cannot change folder location via preferences mode.
Why not? What happens when you try? Are you getting an error message? If so, what is it?
How can I access advanced options during installation, so that I may select the data folder up front?
It will be a link at the bottom of the window after you sign-in to your account.
When specifying a data folder, make sure you select the location where you want the Dropbox folder to reside. For instance, if you want Dropbox to be at \Dropbox, you would select
\ as the location. The installer will create a Dropbox folder in whatever location you sepcify.
Daphne
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support
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